S1 Ep 4 - Integration and Complexity

This excerpt, titled "Research Integration: A Comparative Knowledge Base" by Julie Thompson Klein, published by SAGE Publications in 2013, focuses on integration as the core methodology in both interdisciplinary (IDR) and transdisciplinary (TDR) research. The text provides a historical overview of the concept of integration, tracing its evolution from ancient Greek philosophy to modern approaches. It compares various methods and means of achieving integration, such as using common language, bridging concepts, and employing models and frameworks. Furthermore, the article highlights four key principles of integration: the principle of variance, platforming, iteration, and communicative rationality, underscoring the importance of adaptability, foundational work, iterative processes, and effective communication in successful inter- and transdisciplinary endeavors.